The Social Cerebellum
Who uses Social Media and why?
There are people out there that simply don’t understand social media. Why does any of it mean anything? What benefit are we all receiving by participating? As much as these and other questions arise there still seems to be more and more people jumping on board.
But why? Why all the status updates? What relevance is it to me that you just came back from the grocery store and noticed one of the potatoes you bought looks just like Jay Leno’s head? Actually, that’s pretty darn interesting. Thanks for sharing a photo; I’m going to show Chris!
Ah, blast! You got me. Just when you dispute this very question you can’t help but be sucked in. I’m sure there are those out there who vow never to be on Facebook only because it’s popular. Or for some, perhaps the reason is because their parents are joining and sending them friend requests.
Take my father, for example. He recently set up his Facebook account (with the help of my apparently social-savvy Mother). He seems to make minor use of it so far but his initial reason was because the rest of the family as well as friends were already joined. It’s a sort of bandwagon situation. Not by peer pressure but by curiosity. Below I have listed the type of people using social media and why I think more and more people, like internet-illiterate Dad, are jumping on the social train.
1. The Megaphones
It is my opinion and belief that the popularity is because it makes us all have a voice providing a personal sense of importance. Granted, some cases are more extreme than others but I think this is the initial factor at play. When I post an update from my phone while I experience something worth sharing I think to myself, “I wonder what people will say about this?” The fact that I’m even writing this blog further proves that I want you to read what I have to say. This is the basic principle.
2. The Collected Connectors
In the culture of social networks collectivism is king. I think in this realm we tend to be part of a collective whole rather than be on our own, hence the desire to share all kinds of information. This is how it correlates with #1 above. There are many human connections in our lives and now we have a successful means of sharing our lives with not just one at a time but together all at once.
I think this explains why there are more women on Facebook than men. I can’t even count the amount of profile photos I’ve seen that are just of a hand with a new shiny ring on it, a cake-in-the-face wedding photo, or a photo of a newborn that looks like it was taken by a cell phone moments after birth (okay, that might be exaggerated). This makes these women Megaphones as well. These are all special moments in a woman’s life and to share with everyone you know as soon as it happens is something they treasure. This explains why this demographic loves it so much.
3. The Walter Kronkites
These are the people who are news-seekers who look to share things with those they know. Social media (well, the internet as a whole) has now given us the ability to be our own broadcast journalist. This can be rewarding to those who heard the news first from you, their source. There is a lot of really cool stuff out there just aching to be shared and now we all have the platform to do so. Twitter takes this use to the extreme as many people only post what they find online. Great resources for finding material to broadcast to your audience come from websites such as Alltop and StumbleUpon. Now start sharing and be sure to practice your sign off.
4. The Creepers
Hey, don’t accuse me of giving it this name. There’s a slang term out there called “facecreeping.” Obviously that word gives one social network all the glory but I’m sure you could also be a “tweeper” if you wanted. This doesn’t necessarily mean these types of people are full-fledged creeps but in the cyber-world it’s a different game. In fact, I can be sure that every one of us has or will be considered a social-creeper at some point. I get friend requests often from people I vaguely remember from high school (sorry if you’re one of them) and wonder why they want to add me. Sure, we share the same alma mater but try refreshing my mind on one conversation we’ve ever had and I bet they won’t be able to.
This is a big thing regarding parents too. I mentioned above how teens may not like having their parents on Facebook. We all know teens keep their door shut at home. Having their parents as online friends puts a crystal clear window on that door.
There’s also the ex-creeper, the work-creeper, the complete stranger-creeper and the distant uncle-creeper who comments on everything you do. I’m sure there’s a plethora of sub-creepers just waiting to click on your profile next. Thank you for privacy settings.
So there you have 4 different people who use social media and why they use it. Have you placed yourself in one of these categories? The chances are you’ve probably put yourself in ALL categories. Think of it as different parts of your social cerebellum. And think about how many other parts of that brain are just waiting to be discovered. In the meantime I’ll put my newly needed glasses to rest and stop getting all Freudian on you all. This is Andy Cantu, signing off. Good day and Good night.
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